History of the Minimum Wage in New York State

History of the General Hourly Minimum Wage in New York State
Effective DateMinimum Wage Rate
Prior to 1960State minimum wage rates varied from industry to industry
October 1, 1960Newly established general minimum wage set at $1.00
October 15, 1962Increased from $1.00 to $1.15
October 15, 1964Increased from $1.15 to $1.25
January 1, 1967Increased from $1.25 to $1.50
February 1, 1968Increased from $1.50 to $1.60
July 1, 1970Increased from $1.60 to $1.85
May 1, 1974Increased from $1.85 to $2.00
January 1, 1975Increased from $2.00 to $2.10
January 1, 1976Increased from $2.10 to $2.30
October 6, 1978Increased from $2.30 to $2.65
January 1, 1979Increased from $2.65 to $2.90
January 1, 1980Increased from $2.90 to $3.10
January 1, 1981Increased from $3.10 to $3.35
April 1, 1990Increased from $3.35 to $3.80
April 1, 1991Increased from $3.80 to $4.25
March 31, 2000Increased from $4.25 to $5.15
January 1, 2005Increased from $5.15 to $6.00
January 1, 2006Increased from $6.00 to $6.75
January 1, 2007Increased from $6.75 to $7.15
July 24, 2009Increased from $7.15 to $7.25
December 31, 2013Increased from $7.25 to $8.00
December 31, 2014Increased from $8.00 to $8.75
December 31, 2015Increased from $8.75 to $9.00

 

Beginning December 31, 2016, annual increases in the general minimum wage were determined by employment location, industry, and number of employees (in New York City only). 

Basic Minimum Hourly Rates (other than fast food employees)

New York City:
Large employers of 11 or more employees:
$11.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$13.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$15.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2018.

Small employers of 10 or fewer employees:
$10.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$12.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$13.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2018;
$15.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2019.

All Employers:
$16.00 per hour on and after January 1, 2024.

Long Island, and Westchester counties:
$10.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$11.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$12.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2018;
$13.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2019;
$14.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2020;
$15.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2021.
$16.00 per hour on and after January 1, 2024.
 

Remainder of state (outside of New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties):
$9.70 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$10.40 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$11.10 per hour on and after December 31, 2018;
$11.80 per hour on and after December 31, 2019;
$12.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2020;
$13.20 per hour on and after December 31, 2021.
$14.20 per hour on and after December 31, 2022.
$15.00 per hour on and after January 1, 2024.

 


 

Minimum Hourly Rates for Fast Food Employees

New York City:
$12.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$13.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$15.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2018.

Outside of New York City:
$10.75 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$11.75 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$12.75 per hour on and after December 31, 2018;
$13.75 per hour on and after December 31, 2019;
$14.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2020;
$15.00 per hour on and after July 1, 2021.


If you have any questions about New York State's minimum wage, please see the State Department of Labor's minimum wage resource page.